Indirect lighting fixture

ABSTRACT

A lighting fixture comprises a chassis and a cover. The chassis comprises an inner support member having a generally rectangular central portion and end portions extending angularly from the central portions. Provisions are made for mounting one or more fluorescent light tubes on the side of the central portion opposite that from which said end portions extend. The cover which similarly has a central portion and inclined end portions fits over the chassis with the light tubes between the cover and the inner support member. The cover has side flanges extending in the direction of the chassis and the inner supporting member has angular side flanges received between the side flanges of the cover.

United States Patent 1191 Arenhold 111'] 3,828,183 [451 Aug. 6, 1974Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.808,954, March 20,

1969, abandoned.

[75] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 29, 1968 France 68.146435July 8, 1968 France 68.158328 Sept. 17, 1968 France 68.166411 Nov. 22,1968 France 68.174995 [52] US. Cl. 240/5l.ll R, 240/4, 240/1 1.4 R,240/4l.l [51] Int. Cl. H05b 33/02 [58] Field of Search 240/5l.1l R, 2 D,2 B, 240/2 SL, 4, 52 R, 11.4 R, 81 BS, 41.1, 4, 2 EV [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,469 6/1926 Campagna 240/2 SL 2,564,8658/1951 Turner et al. 240/2 BV 2,662,163 12/1953 Mollner 240/2 BV Dempsey240/4 3,007,037 10/1961 Klemmel 240/4 3,057,991 10/1962 Grenadier....240/51.11 R 3,131,871 5/1964 Foulds 240/51.11 R 3,544,782 12/1970 Hahn240/2 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 34,999 1/1965 Germany 240/4531,441 11/1957 Belgium 240/2 1) Primary ExaminerRobert P. GreinerAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L.Adams [57] ABSTRACT A lighting fixture comprises a chassis and a cover.The chassis comprises an inner support member having a generallyrectangular central portion and end portions extending angularly fromthe central portions. Provisions are made for mounting one or morefluorescent light tubes on the side of the central portion opposite thatfrom which said end portions extend. The cover which similarly has acentral portion and inclined end portions fits over the chassis with thelight tubes between the cover and the inner support member. The coverhas side flanges extending in the direction of the chassis and the innersupporting member has angular side flanges received between the sideflanges of the cover.

10 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAus 61914 3.828.183

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SHEUZDFB PAIENTEnmn sum sum 30F a FIG. 7

FIG. 11 FIG. 12

minimum man SHEET 7 OF 8 PAYENTED SHEET 8 BF 8 INDIRECT LIGHTING FIXTUREThis application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No.808,954, filed Mar. 20, 1969, now abandoned.

The invention relates to a particularly attractive and advantageousconstruction of a fixture for the glare free mounting of a light sourcesuch as an incandescent lamp or flourescent lamp, in particular toproduce indirect lighting while at the same time being usable asmilti-purpose furniture.

Lighting units and in particular hanging lamps, floor lamps, tablelamps, desk lamps and other lamps of different forms are well known andhave particular properties adapting them for their practical use. Forexample, a floor lamp has, in general, a base and a vertical supportwhereby satisfactory lighting without glare can be obtained in a limitedarea and the lamp can be made to harmonize with its surroundings.However, the latter feature is to a large extent dependent on thepersonal taste of the user of a particular lamp design.

Known lamps of this kind are of quite diverse design but they do not,however, meet all of the aforementioned requirements. The manner ofpractical use of a lamp is predetermined and the user of such a lampdoes not have the possibility of changing the lamp to any extent, eitherin its arrangement or in its function. In case any such alteration ofthe lighting is required, it is necessary to procure a new lamp which isdesigned for the new use. Moreover, the taste of the purchasing publicwith respect to the design of lamps is known to be very diversified sothat lamps of a particular kind and for a particular purpose can beproduced only in relatively limited numbers which naturally mitigatesagainst economical mass production.

An object of the present invention is to avoid the above-mentioneddisadvantages and to provide a fixture for the glare free arrangement ofa light source which, by reason of its particular design, can be used inthe most diverse ways and can be readily modified to enable the holderto provide in particular for the production of indirect lighting and, bysuitable dimensioning and design, can at the same time be used asvarious articles of furniture, for example, as a table, a bench, atelevision stand, or the like.

A fixture in accordance with the invention is characterized by a basepart or shell having a central portion and inclined end portionsdisposed at an angle of more than 90 and preferably approximately 1 10to the central portion. The central portion and the end portions are ofchannel cross-section so as to provide a space for receiving one or moretubular lamps between the end portions and between the opposite sideflanges of the central portion.

Preferably the fixture in accordance with the invention comprises achassis which is separable from the base part or shell and which carriesthe light source, current supplying conductors and accessories such asballast and starter. The chassis fits inside the base part or shellwhich thereby serves as a cover. The chassis thus serves to reinforceand stiffen the cover so that the latter can be formed of thin material.

The lighting fixture in accordance with the invention is formed of thin,strong, stable material, for example, iron or aluminium sheet metal, orstrong heat-resisting plastic material, for example, fiber glass. In thelatter case it is advantageous to provide inner stiffening andstrengthening ribs which are molded or pressed into the plastic materialand at the same time serve as carriers for the light source. A

In order to provide the greatest possible versatility and possibility ofvariations, the fixture in accordance with the invention may be providedwith suitable facilities such as threaded holes, insert bushings or thelike for securing feet, plates, connecting rodsbetween several fixtures,or the like. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fixture isformed of metal or is provided with metal inserts so that differentmagnetic accessories can be removably secured to the fixture in aconvenient and simple manner. The metal inserts can be eitherindividualsmall plates or elongated strips. Through such an arrangement a screenor reflector for directing the light rays to a desired position can bereadily secured to the fixture.

The nature and advantages of the invention will appear more fully fromthe following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic side views of lighting fixtures inaccordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic perspective views of other embodiments.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic plan views of fixtures in accordance withthe invention installed in a wall.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views from the inside of the fixture provided with alight shield above or below the fixture.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic plan views showing three light fixturesarranged parallel to one another.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a fixture having magnetic accessories.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are plan views of two modifications.

FIG. 15 is a section taken on the line XV-XV in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of an unsymmetrical embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view partially in a longitudinal section of a lightfixture in accordance with the invention.

' FIG. 18 is a plan view of the fixture shown in FIG. 17 with a portionbroken away to show the interior.

FIG. 19 is an end view of the fixture shown in FIG. 17, a portion of theouter shell broken away.

FIG. 20 is'a cross-section taken approximately on line XX-XX in FIG. 17.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a fixture 21 comprising a rigid shell orhousing 22 having a flat central portion 22a and inclined end portions22b which join the central portion in rounded corners 22c. As seen inFIG. 1, the end portions 22b are inclined at an angle of approximately[10 to the central portion 22a. Inwardly extending side flanges 22dextend along opposite sides of the central portion 22a and in the endportions 22b. The housing is desirably formed with stiffening orstrengthening ribs. A light source comprising one or more tubes 23 ismounted in the fixture between the side flanges 22d.

The housing 22 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of opaque material such assheet metal or translucent material such as plastic which is desirablyreinforced with glass fibers. Alternatively, the housing may be formedpartly of translucent or transparent material and partly of opaquematerial. If the housing is formed of transparent or translucentmaterial, selected portions'may be opaqued by means of an opaque layeror a coating.

The fixture shown in FIG. 2 likewise comprises a rigid housing 22 insideof which the light source 23, for example in the form offlourescentlight tubes, is arranged. The housing 22 has a straightmiddle portion 27 and two inclined end portions 24, and 24 which are ofequal length. In this manner the fixture may be supported on the flooror on a piece of furniture or on other suitable supportable surface 25,with the inclined end portions 24, and 24, serving as legs. A glassplate 26 supported on the housing 22 by strips or feet 26a can be usedfor supporting books, ash trays or other objects. When made of asuitable size, the fixture of FIG. 2 is suitable for use as a table, forexample a coffee table or end table.

FIG. 3 shows a particularly useful and original application of fixturesin accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment twohousings 35, and 35 are superimposed with their inner sides facing oneanother. The upper housing 35, is provided with a light source in theform of a light tube 36 which provides a light of constant or variableintensity. A plate 37 of glass or other material is mounted on top ofthe upper housing 31, as in FIG. 2. The straight middle portion 38 onthe under side of the lower housing 35 serves as a supporting surface ofthe fixture. When made of a suitable size, the fixture shown in FIG. 3may be utilized as a table, side board or other piece of furniture.Alternatively, it can be made smaller and used as a desk or table lamp,in which event the plate 37 serves as a useful support for vases, booksand other objects. Moreover a plate 39, which may be of opaque ortransparent material, may be placed between the upper and lower housings35, and 35 A light source may if desired also be pro vided in the lowerhousing 35 or alternatively may be omitted. The inside of the lowerhousing 35 may be used for other devices such as radio apparatus, loudspeakers or the like which can be controlled by control knobs 32 on theside of the upper'housing 35,. This embodiment of the invention isparticularly suitable for use as a night table, or the like. The fixturemay be made of a wide variety of transparent or translucent material.

If a lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention is to beused for illuminating an object, for example a statue, it can beinverted as shown in FIG. 4 and carry a glass plate 26 on which suchobject is placed. The straight central portion 27 of the housing restson the floor or other support while the glass plate 26 is supported bythe upwardly projecting end portions 24, and 24 FIG. 5 shows a verticalarrangement of the lighting fixture for lighting an object from theside. The lighting fixture is suitably supported on a wall or othersupport.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 a lighting fixture in accordance withthe invention is supported by one end in a vertical position on arotatable base 28, 29. With this arrangement the lighting fixture can beturned in any direction or it can be set in constant rotation driven,for example, by a small electric motor. Through suitable variable switchmeans it is possible to obtain different lighting effects as the fixturerotates.

In FIG. 7 a lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention isshown mounted on a wall by means of its end portions 49, and 49 with thestraight central portion of the housing parallel to and spaced from thewall. This arrangement is useful for example for a wall light which isprovided with a single light source. If de- 52 as shown in FIG. 10. Inthis manner it is possible in a simple way to direct the light rayseither upwardly or downwardly. When the screen 53 is magnetized orprovided with permanent magnets it can be held in place on a metallichousing without special fastening devices.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show further examples using a plurality of fixtures inaccordance with the invention arranged parallel to one another.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 of whichFIG. 13 is a side view of afixture, FIGS. 14A and 14B are alternativepartial plan views and FIG. 15 is a section taken on a line XV-XV inFIG. 13. In this embodiment, the housing 41 -is formed either wholly offerrous metal or is provided with a plurality of metal inserts 42,, 42and 42 These metal inserts are secured in suitable manner and can beprovided on the inner side 44 of the base part of the housing as well ason the side flanges 43, and 43 The inserts can be of any desired shape,such as small plates 42,, 42 and 42 or elongated strips 45, and 45 Withthis construction, magnetic accessories such as a seat cushion 46 ordecorative molding 47 can be quickly and easily fixed in desiredposition on the housing and can be easily removed so that differentaccessories are easily and quickly interchangeable. If the seat cushion46 were to be simply placed on the upper side 48 of the housing 41, itcould slide off the smooth upper surface. Through the use of theabovementioned magnetic parts in combination with the metal inserts 42or 45, the cushion 46 is held securely on the housing. It will beunderstood that the metallic inserts 42 and 45 are not necessary whenthe housing itself is formed of ferrous metal so that the magneticaccessories are held thereon.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 the lighting fixture 61 isunsymmetrical and consists of two sections 62 and 63 of unequal length,the section 62 being longer than section 63. The two sections arearranged at an angle to one another so that the outer surfaces meet in arounded comer 64. The angle between the two unequal sections is shown asbeing approximately 90 but can be greater or smaller. As in otherembodiments of the invention, the sections 62 and 63 are provided withside flanges at opposite sides. A light source comprising one or moretubular or other lamps is disposed between the side flanges. The freeends of the sections 62 and 63 rest on or are secured to a wall,ceiling, floor or other supporting surface.

A lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention is shown ingreater detail in FIGS. 17 to 20. The fixture comprises a chassis havingan inner support member 71 which may be formed as a sheet metal stampingor as a molding of transparent, translucent or opaque plastic material.If formed of opaque material, the support may have windows or cutouts topermit light to be transmitted through it. The support 71 has a slightlycurved central portion 71a and inclined end portions 71b. Incross-section, the central portion is straight as seen in FIG. 20 withangularly disposed side flanges 71c which are bifurcated so as to formchannels 71d. Tubular lamps 72, which are preferably flourescent, aredisposed on the inner side of the support 71 and mounted at their endsin sockets 73 supported by brackets 74. A starter 75 for the lights isalso mounted on the bracket 74.

Current for the lamps is supplied by a cable (not shown) which issecured by a cable clamp 76 and is connected through a junction box 77to conductors 78 leading to the starter 75 and the lamp sockets 73.Conductors leading to the sockets at the far ends of the light tubesextend through the channels 71d of the support 71 and are held in placeby suitable clips 79. A cross piece 80 disposed parallel to the bracket74 at opposite ends of the central portion of the support 71 carries aballast 81 and a junction block 77. The chassis is grounded by means ofa ground wire (not shown) connected by screws 82 to the bracket 74 andcross piece 80.

The outer ends of the support member 71 are provided with cross strips83 having cross shaped openings 84 to receive hooks, screws or othersecuring means for attaching the chassis to a wall, ceiling or othersupport. The cross strips 83 are also provided with hooks 85 forsecuring in place a shell or cover 86 in which the chassis is received.The cover 86 has a straight central portion 860 and inclined integralend portions 86b disposed at an angle of approximately l05 to thecentral portion 86a. As seen in FIG. 20, the cover is of channel shapewith integral inwardly extended side flanges 86c which extend along thecentral portion and also along the end portions of the cover. As seen inFIG. 17, the free edges of the central portions of the side flangescorresponding to the central portion of the cover are slightly curved sothat the flanges are somewhat deeper near the ends of the centralportion 86a than at the middle. The side flanges of the central portionmerge into the side flanges of the end portions which taper so that theyare not as deep at the ends. When the inner support member 71 is formedof metal or other opaque material the cover 86 is formed of moldedtransparent or translucent plastic material. Alternatively, the innersupport may be formed with cutouts or windows to permit the passage oflight through it. When the inner support member 71 is formed oftransparent or translucent material the cover 86 may be formed either ofmetal or other opaque material or of transparent or translucent materialas desired. Thus by suitable selection of the material, the light fromthe lamp tubes 72 may be transmitted either outwardly through the cover86, inwardly through the inner support 71 or both inwardly andoutwardly.

It will be understood that the various characteristics and features ofthe several embodiments illustrated by way of example in the drawingsare interchangeable in sofar as they are compatible. Thus for examplethe chassis illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20 may be used in the fixturesillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 15 and byeliminating one end portionin thefixture of FIG. 16. It will be understood that the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings are shown only by way of example and thatvarious modifications may be made.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting fixture comprising a shell and a chassis, said shellhaving an elongated generally rectangular straight central portion andlike opposite end portions inclined at an obtuse angle of the order tosaid central portion, said central portion having like opposite sideflanges and said end portions having like opposite side flanges merginginto the side flanges of said central portion, said chassis beingtranslucent and having an elongated generally rectangular centralportion nested between said side flanges of the central portion of saidshell and like inclined end portions nested between said side flanges ofthe inclined end portions of said shell with a space between the centralportion of said chassis and the central portion of said shell, means formounting at least one light tube in said space, and means for releasablysecuring said shell to said chassis whereby light is diffused throughsaid central portion and said end portions of said chassis.

2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said end portionsof said shell join said central portion in smooth curves.

3. A lighting fixture according to claim 2, in which free edges of saidopposite side flanges of said central portion of the shell are concavelycurved so that said side flanges have a greater width at their ends thanat a central portion.

4. A lighting fixture according to claim 3, in which free edges of saidopposite side flange portions of said end portions of the shell joinrespective free edge portions of said opposite side flange portions ofsaid central portion of the shell in smooth curves.

5. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell is ofmolded translucent material.

6. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said chassis hasangular side flanges extending in a direction toward said shell andreceived between said side flanges of said shell.

7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6, in which edges of said sideflanges of said chassis are formed with channels to receive electricalconductors for said light tube.

8. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell isopaque.

9. A lighting fixture according to claim 8, in which said shell is ofsheet metal.

10. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said light tubeextends approximately the full length of said central portion of saidchassis.

1. A lighting fixture comprising a shell and a chassis, said shellhaving an elongated generally rectangular straight central portion andlike opposite end portions inclined at an obtuse angle of the order 105*to said central portion, said central portion having like opposite sideflanges and said end portions having like opposite side flanges merginginto the side flanges of said central portion, said chassis beingtranslucent and having an elongated generally rectangular centralportion nested between said side flanges of the central portion of saidshell and like inclined end portions nested between said side flanges ofthe inclined end portions of said shell with a space between the centralportion of said chassis and the central portion of said shell, means formounting at least one light tube in said space, and means for releasablysecuring said shell to said chassis whereby light is diffused throughsaid central portion and said end portiOns of said chassis.
 2. Alighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said end portions ofsaid shell join said central portion in smooth curves.
 3. A lightingfixture according to claim 2, in which free edges of said opposite sideflanges of said central portion of the shell are concavely curved sothat said side flanges have a greater width at their ends than at acentral portion.
 4. A lighting fixture according to claim 3, in whichfree edges of said opposite side flange portions of said end portions ofthe shell join respective free edge portions of said opposite sideflange portions of said central portion of the shell in smooth curves.5. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell is ofmolded translucent material.
 6. A lighting fixture according to claim 1,in which said chassis has angular side flanges extending in a directiontoward said shell and received between said side flanges of said shell.7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6, in which edges of said sideflanges of said chassis are formed with channels to receive electricalconductors for said light tube.
 8. A lighting fixture according to claim1, in which said shell is opaque.
 9. A lighting fixture according toclaim 8, in which said shell is of sheet metal.
 10. A lighting fixtureaccording to claim 1, in which said light tube extends approximately thefull length of said central portion of said chassis.